With a little time, attention and effort we can change a child's life and future.
Birthdays matter to me
My mother gladly takes the blame for my view on birthdays. She created the situation. Birthdays mattered to her. My sister and I never spent a birthday just getting cake and ice cream with some presents at the end of the day. No way. Birthdays were an event - always. I remember the birthday when the Sound of Music first came out in the Netherlands (I know this dates me.) My parents allowed me to bring 7 friends to the theater which was a big deal then. We went in our Volkswagen bus and had dinner and a special birthday cake afterward. Another birthday we piled about 20 kids in the bus and other vehicles and went to the dunes in Holland to play the equivalent of "Cowboys and Indians." Afterward we went to a Dutch Pancake house to eat dinner plate-sized pancakes. Yum. Of course before those there were the birthdays at home with games, magic (my dad would do magic tricks), a puppet show (the same dad would put on the performance) and more. After the fun we had dinner and cake. And, we always were allowed to select our favorite dinner. Mine: cooked spinach, mashed potatoes and meatballs. It still is my birthday dinner. (Weird, I know.)
Of course, birthdays are just the icing on the cake. The basics include food, clothes, school supplies, books, and toys. My parents provided those too of course.
Today, I'm writing about three ways to help children and extend Christmas to everyday.
1. All children need clothes, books and toys
Imagine that there are many kids that don't even have the basics. Many foster kids don't have enough for clothes, books and toys. In Washington State, my state, the government pays a maximum of $300 per year for a foster child's clothes. It costs about twice that to clothe them.
If you live in the greater Seattle area you can join Icon Church to help foster kids. On Saturday, December 6, they're going to Seattle to volunteer in the Tree House Wearhouse. Be part of a team that organizes and distributes books, clothes, and toys to needy foster kids.
They're meeting in Issaquah at 9:00 am and carpooling to Seattle. RSVP to info@iconchurch.com.
2. Receive Amber Alert texts
Sadly, many children still get abducted each year. The Amber Alert system, named after an abducted child Amber whose parents fought to improve the search process, has helped to locate at least 250 children. The notifications have gone out through radio and television alerts as well as on freeway signs.
Now you can help more quickly and easily. The Amber Alert now uses texts to alert people wirelessly.
It's easy. Sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts and participate when an alert goes up in your area. Help save more children's lives through receiving a free text message with info of the local Amber Alert.
3. Make birthday gift bags to give a child a birthday
Everyone can do this one. It's a great event for a family, group, church, neighborhood, birthday party or company. I've mentioned Cheerful Givers on this blog before. They provide toy-filled birthday gift bags to food pantries and shelters "so that parents living in poverty can give their child a birthday gift." What a great idea.
Here's how you can help:
- Hold a Birthday Bag Blitz - It's an intense (and fun) campaign. You and your group of volunteers get together to
create birthday gift bags, filling each bag with an assortment of ten new toys
which include items like books, plush toys, balls, puzzles, stickers,
crayons, etc.
If you're in the Minnesota area, Cheerful Givers has a list of local food shelves or shelters. Outside of the Twin Cities it will take one extra step. Find your local food bank and drop off the bags.
Want to plan a Blitz or need more information? Contact Karen@cheerfulgivers.org. - No time for your personal Blitz? Donate online.
- Let them know what you did. Send photos or a your story to Karen.
Thanks for spreading the cheer. Want to give to Semper Vita? We would love your help. We're working to connect people and organizations to do more good together.
